The All Blacks have come away with a five-point win over France, scoring three tries to one but conceding four penalty goals.
» Click here to read the match report
Final score
France 19
New Zealand 24
All the wash-up from Ireland vs Wallabies:
» LORD: Grand Slam gone, Mumm must follow
» Match report: Ireland victorious, 27-24
» Five talking points from the match
» What changes should Australia make for England
» Vote on our DIY player ratings
» Re-live the match with our live blog
» WATCH all the highlights from the match
The All Blacks banished the demons of Cardiff 2007 most emphatically in last year’s World Cup quarter-final with a record trouncing of France. Form suggests the All Blacks should win this Test comprehensively as well. Can France fire and produce a trademark upset or will New Zealand end 2016 with yet another victory? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7am (AEDT).
The All Blacks new jersey is ugly, but not as ugly as France’s recent form. Les Blues have only won four of their last 11 Tests and despite a competitive outing against the Wallabies, France have only scored 20 tries in 2016, the All Blacks have scored 77.
France have made three changes from the XV that played Australia. At fullback Brice Dulin replaces Scott Spedding who drops out of the 23, Camille Lopez comes in at first-five for Jean-Marc Doussain and Xavier Chiocci takes over from Cyril Baille at loosehead prop, the latter dropping to the bench.
France should challenge New Zealand at set-piece. France’s lineout has been flawless so far in November, all 20 throws finding their target. New Zealand struggled at lineout time in Chicago but the return of the old firm of Retallick and Whitelock (140 caps between them) will give France some headaches, too.
The French won three scrums against Australia’s feed last week and are sure to test the All Blacks in this sometimes shaky area. The breakdown is another area France could target though the great Thierry Dusautoir is sorely missed.
The All Black have lost both vice captains, fullback Ben Smith and flanker Sam Cane to injuries, but the experienced Jerome Kaino returns from injury as done fit-again Ryan Crotty, replacing the suspended Malakai Fekitoa.
Israel Dagg switches from wing to fullback allowing wing Waisake Naholo to return while Matt Todd is given a start ahead of Ardie Savea at openside flanker.
The disgraced and struggling half-back Aaron Smith has been replaced by TJ Perenara. Perenara had a top Super Rugby season and has got better and better this season finally ousting his long time rival on form rather than injury.
Beauden Barrett has scored eight Test tries in 2016 – the most of any first five-eighth in international history.
The All Blacks have won 17 of 24 tests in France.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7am (AEDT).
Dan
Guest
Moaman, How about what Read was thinking when he turned down a very kickable penalty? I watched that and said to myself hang on, the AB's at the RC a few months back would not have done that. Not when the scores were pretty close.
Debz
Guest
I'm a rabid All Black supporter but was seriously biting my fingernails during this match. And you could argue that we choked in Chicago against the Irish - rather than harking back a decade.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Terribly good enough to beat Australia any day though.
ph1lstar
Guest
I didn't enjoy that game, but I never do when Wayne Barnes is in charge. Aaron Smith is still the best halfback in NZ. If he was dropped to the bench because of form then Read should have been dropped also. Glad the year is over, NH tour has been an anti-climax disappointment for me considering the rest of the year the ABs have had. Have a well deserved rest boys the Lions are coming & full of confidence from what the ABs have displayed on tour. Chieka outraged at referee's performance. That's what the ABs deal with every game CLOWN!!
moaman
Roar Guru
Nickoldschool :-) Nice spelling mate! Agree with you about the England streak; of course I will be hoping the Wallabies can lift again and put a heavy spanner in Eddie Jones' you-know-what.And leave it there. France look capable of going places with the current crop.I hope so because I'm fed up with people bagging them before the game even starts. Was good to see a packed stadium there in Paris...
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Surely he will learn from this
Ralph
Roar Guru
You might be 10 years off the pace there Debz. We haven't choked in years.
richard
Guest
Isn't that the sign of a good team - one that plays poorly and still wins.The game was a potential banana skin for the AB's - they look mentally and physically spent. Still,a win's a win.
Whakaata
Guest
Sure they can take something from it but let's be honest how much? No other team in world rugby has to match the intensity the All Blacks do every week. Their opposition is always fired up and is targeting said game against the All Blacks more than any other game on their calendar. The All Blacks are facing teams playing with a finals mentality every week, no other team in world rugby can say the same. Sorry I digress, overall this game was a good test match but let's not kid ourselves the French are just getting into their season and stride whilst the All Blacks are at the end of their season and already had one foot on the plane home, thinking of summer and a Christmas break, sure it may seem like I am taking something away from the Frenchbut it is fact.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Yes, joyless is an apt description. The northern hemisphere scribes seem to take nothing from the moments of sublime beauty the All Blacks create. Even when we play poorly there are one or two moments of stunning skills.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Job done, that's the main thing.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
Well I thought other way, but well done France. A lot of heart to take from that.
PaulB
Guest
The ABs have taken attack to a new level. The rugby world take note and emulate. In the games against Ireland and France the ABs have taken defense to a new level. What do the rest do now?
Coconut
Guest
Yeah.... joyless is the word.. and there are a few reasons for that, which I don't lay at the feet of my team at all.
moaman
Roar Guru
Adam...when you said "This could get ugly" you were not wrong.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Well done 'MOAMAN' ;) !!! I think the ABs are mentally and physically tired (and rightly so) but they still have enough class to beat most teams. Am glad NZRU were smart enough not to add an extra test ($) next week. Another great season for the AB but I think the 18 wins record may well be under threat early next year during the 6N! Enjoy the rugby break mate!
zer0
Guest
"France were pretty good in a limited way.Their lineout is a shambles." Apparently the French lineout was running at 100% leading into this test. With that in mind, I'd dare say it was just another case of Sammy Dubs and Nosfertau trolling the opposition lineout out of the game, again. Agree ref. the jaded look. It's why I'm not concerned about the performance. It's the end of the year for the AB's, so who cares what the performance looks like, as long as they win. France were entertaining, mind. A healthy turn around from the last meeting.
James
Guest
The NH tours are done and dusted. ABs need to go home and rest up. The NH teams will need have a lot to say in regards to how terrible the SH teams have been.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
France made a lot of ground with what the Irish commentator was calling "no ruck rugby" but they were poor in the lineouts and were beaten at the breakdown. Barrett kicking away possession was frustrating. Cruden is kick happy too. It's fine to try those sort of kicks when you're getting a decent amount of possession but so often these days the All Blacks go for long spells without the ball. Granted, the team was tired, but games like these are where we miss last year's leadership group.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
I know what it is.... the white jerseys! ... the players did not know who to pass to ... yeah that's it for such a disappointing performance. However, have to take my hat off to the French, they made the game much more exciting that it really was... a bit more finesse and they could have taken this match...